Oct. 1, 2015
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AUBURN, Ala. - The 8th-ranked Auburn soccer team got pushed into overtime for the third time this season Thursday night in Tuscaloosa, Ala., but just like the previous times, it was the Tigers that came out on top, beating Alabama, 2-1, in double overtime.
The win for Auburn is its fourth-straight in the "Iron Bowl of Soccer," keeping the current senior class's (Kala Faulkner, Sophie Simantel, Haley Gerken, Logan Beal) record against the Crimson Tide at a perfect 4-0-0.
Freshman Taylor Troutman was the latest hero for the Tigers finishing a header in the 103rd minute after a great cross from Hannah Alspach. Troutman pierced through the defense as Alspach's cross was dead on the far post from the right side, giving Troutman her third goal of the season.
"This team just finds a way," Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa said. "I didn't think we played as well as we did last weekend, but that's credit to Alabama. They came out in the second half with guns blazing. We responded well and that's a credit to the team, the character and the perseverance they have."
Overall, Auburn ups its record to 11-1-0 and 4-1-0 in the Southeastern Conference, giving it 12 points in the standings. Auburn has won five-straight matches dating back to its non-conference finale against South Alabama and four-straight in conference play.
"I couldn't really think after the ball went in the net," Troutman said. "Hannah (Alspach) had been serving the ball great all day and I wasn't able to get on the end of it until that last one. When that ball came in, I knew if I got on it unmarked, I was going to get it in."
"Auburn-Alabama is always crazy," senior Kala Faulkner said. "Even though we didn't get a goal in the first overtime, I knew we were going to get it in the second overtime. We weren't going to tie this game. It's great for Taylor to get on the end of that ball and to help the seniors go out undefeated against Alabama."
Early on, Auburn didn't waste much time lighting up the scoreboard as Faulkner netted her second goal of the year in the 2nd minute. Off a cross from Brooke Ramsier, the ball deflected off a Crimson Tide defender and then bounced off the head of Kristen Dodson right to Faulkner on the left side of the box.
Alabama tied the game in the 65th minute from Tori Gann as Auburn struggled to keep possession for the majority of the second half. However, the play from goalkeeper Sarah Le Beau single-handedly prevented Alabama from taking the lead and forcing overtime.
Early in the second half, Alabama was pressuring down the right side and crossed in a ball right in front of Le Beau. Alabama one-timed it at point blank range, but Le Beau used the quick reflexes to knock the ball away with her foot.
A few minutes later, Alabama tried a long shot from nearly 30 yards away. As the ball veered toward the top of the net, Le Beau leaped and tipped the ball over the net. Le Beau finished with five saves in the contest, winning her 11th match of the year.
"We knew coming in that this game was going to be tough," Le Beau said afterward. "We had to come in, stay focused and composed. Auburn and Alabama is the biggest rivalry of all. We just fought hard and got the win."
Up Next
The Tigers hit the road again next week for its next conference contest as they travel to Columbia, S.C. to face South Carolina in what is expected to be a matchup between the top two teams of the SEC. Game time is slated for 6 p.m. CT and will be televised nationally on the SEC Network.
For more information on Auburn soccer, visit AuburnTigers.com, follow the team on Twitter, @AuburnSoccer or follow them on Facebook at Facebook.com/AuburnSoccer.